Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1I [Ideas Series, #9]

Psalm 109:8

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office."

Who would desire a persecuting tyrant to rule long? We might as well wish prosperous days to a mangy, rabid dog. If he will do nothing but mischief the shortening of his life will be the lengthening of the world's tranquillity. "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days." This is bare justice to them, and great mercy to the poor and needy.

Think of Mubarak, Hussein, Kim Jong Il, Castro, Khaddafi as recent tyrants. Some were removed violently, some peacefully, and others, through ailing health.

And let another take his office. Perhaps a better man may come. At any rate it is time a change were tried.

So used were the Jews to look upon these verses as the doom of traitors, of cruel and deceitful minds. Peter, too, saw at once in the speedy death of Judas a fulfilment of this sentence (Acts 1:20). A bad man does not make an office bad; another may use with benefit that which the former perverted to wrong uses.

Sin is the great shortener of human life (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27). After the flood the whole race lived a shorter time; iniquity shortens life, and some sins have a peculiar power to do this, such as lust, drunkenness, etc.

But a proud look, God hates (Prov. 16:5). Different standards (i.e., scales, balances, weights) are an abomination to the LORD (Prov.20:10, 23).

1984

In his famous novel “1984,” George Orwell described a nightmarish totalitarian world in which words were redefined – and some banished from use altogether.

This language was called newspeak.

It was a political novel written with the purpose of warning readers in the West of the dangers of totalitarian government. Having witnessed firsthand the horrific lengths to which totalitarian governments in Spain and Russia would go in order to sustain and increase their power, Orwell designed 1984 to sound the alarm in Western nations still unsure about how to approach the rise of communism. In the 40's and 50's many American intellectuals supported communism, and the state of diplomacy between democratic and communist nations was uncertain.

In the American press, the Soviet Union was often portrayed as a great moral experiment. Orwell, however, was deeply disturbed by the widespread cruelties and oppressions he observed in communist countries, and seems to have been particularly concerned by the role of technology in enabling oppressive governments to monitor and control their citizens. China is presently the grand failed experiment that's been repackaged with the bright gift wrapping of global opportunism. Its arms may reach across continents, but its heart is dark and godless as ever.

As to the protagonist in 1984, Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thought crime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.

Sound familiar?

Obama Meets Orwell

Some observations from President Obama's press conference (tagged by LA Times' liberal writer, Andrew Malcolm, "Barack Obama's delivery of no news is quite smooth"): In messages reminiscent of George Orwell's "1984" or "Brave New World," Obama tried to convince us that he'll cut the deficit by growing the deficit, he'll get entitlement programs under control by enrolling more dependents, and he'll grow America's private sector of the economy by increasing the size, budget, and reach of the federal government to historically unprecedented levels. What's next? Proclaiming that "Freedom is slavery," "War is peace" or "Poverty is wealth"?

Think about the drones buzzing about our Nation (Click Here and Here) and monitoring our every move.

Think about the The National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA], which was signed into law on December 31, 2011, greatly expands the power and scope of the federal government to fight the War on Terror, including codifying into law the indefinite detention of terrorism suspects without trial. Under the new law the US military has the power to carry out domestic anti-terrorism operations on US soil. Even worse, the NDAA authorizes the military to detain even US citizens under the broad new anti-terrorism provisions provided in the bill, once again without trial. Don't believe it? Click here for more information.

Think about Obama taking control of the internet in case of national crisis. On July 6, 2012, the president signed the executive order — “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions” — which gives him the power to seize the internet. Essentially, it says the government can take control of private telecommunications technology, presumably including those used for the Internet, for government communications in an emergency. Under the Executive Order the White House has granted the Department of Homeland Security the authority to seize private facilities when necessary, effectively shutting down or limiting civilian communications. Again, having a hard time believing what you're reading? Click here.

Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist. The news articles I cite are not from a fringe right-wing or left-wing blog or crazy rag like Mother Jones. These are mainstream news outlets, Friend. Connect the dots and come to whatever conclusion you want to. Know this, that if you're looking to a man or group of men to solve your problems then you're in for a real surprise. Neither Romney nor Obama know the future and its winding, unpredictable curves. Only God knows what's best for us. It is to Him that we need to turn to in times of distress (John 14:6).

I'm no alarmist either. So, this isn't the time to panic; it's time to pray (I Thess. 5:17). Indeed, Psalm 121:1-2 states, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Looking, that is, to the hills of Moriah and Zion and the holy hill of God. Therefore, I will not worry nor lose sleep. The LORD keeps me in His mighty hand (Rom. 8:35-39). Jesus Christ is my Rock!

From the White House to the Great White Throne

Let me make one thing clear. Well, a few things clear.

1. I'm aware of how Psalm 109, verse 9 continues: "Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow." Make no mistake, I am not wishing ill on the president. Even though the psalmist's sentiment is an extreme one, think of the context of why he writes this way: The leader has led the people astray; the ruler of the nation has forgotten God; the prince of the people has forsaken the Law and instead chosen to rely and lean on his own understanding. There is nothing so bitter than to abandon God's wonderful precepts. It is truly a sickening thought to consider.

2. God gives people, including Mr. Obama, time to repent. In II Peter 3:9, the apostle writes, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Thus, there is a time to humble oneself before the great and living God; that time is now. There is a way to seek God's forgiveness and it is through His only Son Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). What Good News, indeed! There is only one way to salvation, but it is tried and true. God's Word promises it to you and me and everyone else.

3. Unfortunately, there are those who believe that there is no God (Ps. 14:1; 53:1) or that there are many other ways to salvation but this is not so (I Jn. 4:9, 14-15). Those who refuse the salvation that Christ offers will be judged at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15). Any leader or any person "great and small" who are not saved will find themselves standing before God at the Great White Throne. Afterwards, they will be hurled into the Lake of Fire where they will burn forever and ever. What a tragic mistake to reject the love of Jesus!

Don't be one of them. Don't be a fool. Exercise good judgment and ask God to forgive you. He is ready to forgive you. All you have to do is humble yourself and ask for mercy. According to the Holy Bible, you shall receive forgiveness.

Stop delaying the decision. What's holding you back? Click here: The Plan of Salvation

Sources: LA Times, Fox News, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, newsmax, Free Republic, Heritage.org

The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1E [Ideas Series, #5]

Genesis 3:23-24
"Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."


If God threw Adam out of Eden on account of one sin, how can you expect to get into the Heavenly paradise with ten thousand? If someone out there says, "I haven't got anything to repent of." If you are  like the Pharisees, then I can tell you that this message will not reach your heart.

In I John 1:8, 10, the Bible states -

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Alas, some people say, "I believe in the mercy of God; I don't believe God will send anyone to hell. I believe everyone will get to Heaven."

Or, "I believe that they are many paths to Heaven."

Look at those antediluvians. Do you think God swept all those sinners, all those men and women who were too wicked to live on earth - do you believe He swept them all into Heaven, and left the only righteous man to wade through the flood and its aftermath? Do you really hold to this notion, Reader?

And yet many men believe all will go into Heaven. Oh, Friend, don't believe the lie that comes from the mouth of the Devil himself! 

The day will come when you will wake up and know that you have been deceived by Satan. No unrepentant sinner will ever get into Heaven. Unless they forsake their sin they cannot enter there. The law of God is very plain on this point: "Except a man repent." That's the language of Scripture. And when this is so plainly set down, why is it that men fold their arms and say, "God will take me into Heaven anyway."

I can imagine some of you are saying now, Am I to repent today?"  The answer is a resounding Yes! My Friends, there are only two parties in the world. It's not the Republicans and the Democrats. Or, the Conservatives and the Liberals. Or, the 1% and the 99%. Indeed, there  is a great battle going on for your mind here today. And, yes, there are only two sides. Now, there are two parties in this world - those for Christ and those against Him, and to change to Christ's party is only moving from the old party to the new. You know that the old party is bad, and the new one is good, and yet you don't change. You don't have to wait for Election Day. Today's your day to vote, Friend. What's keeping you from casting the right vote?

If a man is not repentant his face is turned away from God, and the moment his face is turned toward God peace and joy follow. There are a great many people hunting after joy, after peace. Dear friends, if you want to find it today. Just turn to God, and you will get it.

Here's a final thought by Charles Spurgeon, "He who looks sinward has his back to God—he who looks Godward has his back to sin."

I can't put more plainer than this: Turn or Burn. What's it going to be? Cast your vote now.

I Choose to Turn This Day!

The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1D [Ideas Series, #4]

1 Thessalonians 1:9

"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;"

As stated previously, the word repentance is used to express the spiritual transition from sin to God.

Do not mistake penitence for repentance. They are NOT the same. Penitence signifies pain, grief, distress, rather than a change of thought and purpose. Thus Latin Christianity  has been corrupted (the Catholic Church being the main perpetrator) by erroneous thought of presenting grief over sin rather than abandonment of sin as the primary idea.

Repentance is that change of a sinner's mind which leads him to turn from his evil ways and live under the grace that Christ provides for all who believe in Him (Rom. 8:1-10). The change wrought in repentance is so deep and radical as to affect the whole spiritual nature and to involve the entire personality. The intellect must function, the emotions must be aroused, and the will must act. Each person needs to understand sin as unutterably grievous; recognize the divine law as perfect; and acknowledge that he himself comes short or falling below the requirements of a holy God due to sin (Job 42:5,6; Psalms 51:3; Romans 3:20, 23).

There may be a knowledge of sin without turning from it as an awful thing which dishonors God and ruins man. The change of view may lead only to a dread of punishment and not to the hatred and abandonment of sin (Exodus 9:27; Numbers 22:34; Joshua 7:20; 1 Samuel 15:24; Matthew 27:4).

There is a type of grief that issues in repentance and another which plunges into remorse. There is a godly sorrow and also a sorrow of the world. The former brings life; the latter, death (Matthew 27:3; Luke 18:23; 2 Corinthians 7:9,10). There must be a consciousness of sin in its effect on man and in its relation to God before there can be a hearty turning away from unrighteousness. The feeling naturally accompanying repentance implies a conviction of personal sin and sinfulness and an earnest appeal to God to forgive according to His mercy (Psalms 51:1,2,10-14).

The whole sacrificial system was intended only to point out the infinite mercy of God to fallen man, in his redemption by the blood of the new covenant. What a picture! Mercy is a matter of the heart; that is, God's heart. It can be said that the heart of the Lord is mercy.

An Illustration

Suppose you go home, and you find that while you have been at work, your child has gone to your private drawer and stolen $5 of your money. You go to him and say: "Did you take that money?" "Yes, I took that money," he replies. When you hear him saying this without any apparent regret you won't forgive him. You want to get at his conscience; you know it would do no good to forgive him unless he confesses his wrong.

Suppose he won't do it. "Yes," he says, "I stole your money, but I don't think I've done wrong." The mother cannot, the father cannot forgive him, unless he sees he has done wrong, and wants forgiveness.

Reader, can't you see you're in the same predictament as that little child? Yes, you are! Are you troubled by that thought? Sinner, why don't you repent?

A test: Is it your sin that stands between you  and Christ?

It isn't, really. It's your own will. That's what stands between the sinner and forgiveness. Christ will take all your iniquities away if you will let Him. But, you've got to humble yourself before the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, and admit you're a sinner and ask for pardon. Men are so proud that they won't acknowledge and confess before God.

Don't you see on the face of it, if your boy won't repent you cannot forgive him, and how is God going to forgive a sinner if he doesn't repent? If God allowed an unrepentant sinner into His Kingdom, there would be war in Heaven. You cannot live in a house with a boy who steals everything he can lay his hands on. You would have to banish him from your house, right?

 

A Consideration of the Local Incarceration Rate

Facts about Washington State Offenders in Confinement

Number of Prison Facilities ..................................................................................12
Number of Work Releases Facilities..................................................................16

Total Offenders in Confinement ..................................................................17,838
Offenders in prison ..........................................91.9%.................16,391
Offenders in work release................................. 3.8%....................... 679
Offenders in out-of-state rented beds ............ 0.0%............................ 0
Offenders in in-state rented beds.................... 4.3%....................... 768

Prison and Work Release Operational Capacity ..................................16,837
Total operational capacity in prisons ........................................16,158
Operational capacity in work release capacity .............................. 679

Percent of Population to Operational Capacity
Total Prison Confinement Percent of Operational Capacity.................. 101.1%
Work Release Percent of Capacity ............................................................. 100.0%

Gender
Male.....................................................................................................................92.6%
Female .................................................................................................................. 7.4%

Race
White ...................................................................................................................71.6%
Black....................................................................................................................18.8%
American Indian .................................................................................................. 4.3%
Asian...................................................................................................................... 3.7%
Unknown/Other................................................................................................... 1.6%

Hispanic Origin.....................................................................................................11.6%

Average Age............................................................................................................. 37.8

Citizenship
United States .....................................................................................................94.7%
Mexico................................................................................................................... 2.7%
Other...................................................................................................................... 2.6%

Length of Sentence
Less than Two Years ........................................................................................15.7%
Two to Five Years ..............................................................................................23.9%
Five to Ten Years...............................................................................................20.4%
Over Ten Years ..................................................................................................24.8%
Life with the possibility of Parole or Release………. ...………………………...11.6%
Life without Release........................................................................................... 3.6%

Avg. Length of Stay for Offenders Released in the past year........ 23.8 mo


As you can see, most of the offenders are very young men, for the most part. The majority of them (12,308 persons to be exact) serve 2-10 years. Does it break your heart that these men and women might leave the prison without knowing who Jesus Christ is? They're in there no doubt for their wrong doing. But, have you stopped to consider that Jesus died for them, too? Did anyone visit them or write them or mailed them a Gospel tract? If they received Christ as their Lord & Saviour in prison, do you wonder whether or not they'll be discipled by someone in their community once they are released so that they stay on the straight and narrow? Do you think someone out there cares about them? And, how many of them did not get connected to a local New Testament, Bible-believing church once released?

The worst kind of bondage is sin. There is no prison worse than it because it goes with you anywhere you go. To be sure, nothing can be done to liberate you from sin than the blood of Jesus Christ (John 1:29, 36; Heb. 9:22).

Suppose the Governor of Washington finds a great number of criminals in prison, and he goes and says: "I feel bad for those prisoners. They cannot stay in jail any longer." Suppose some murders have been committed, and he says: "I am tender hearted, I can't punish those men." and he opens the prison door and lets them all out. How long would that governor be in his position? Wouldn't your blood boil and you'd be calling out for justice? Men would be the first to raise their voice against that governor. These men would clamor, "These murders must be punished or society will be imperiled; life will not be safe!"

And what about God's justice? Do you think He wants justice for men's sins? Oh, indeed He does!

Yet people believe that God will ignore men's sins. Just glance up Calvary's way. The Judge of the world did not look away at all. Reader, He hates sin, but loves you (Jn. 3:16). It is a hard way that Jesus Christ took for your sins, Friend. Don't go on under that delusion that you can keep on sinning (Num. 32:23). You can't. It is a lie of the devil. I tell you, the Word of God is true, and it tells us "Except a man repent" there is not one ray of hope held out for you.

Now let me say this: You are in a position to be reconciled to God right now. You are not in a position to deny this reconciliation a week, a day, an hour. God tells you now. In five minutes, for all you and I know, you may be in eternity.  Life is but a mist. So now God calls you to repent, and all your sins will be taken from you. May God help you to turn and live.

I Want to Turn From Sin and Live Right!

Sources: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; Oxford English Dictionary; Strong's Dictionary; WA State Dept. of Corrections Statistic and Report - Quarterly Fact Card (March 31,2012)

The Lost Mandate of Heaven, Part 1C [Ideas Series, #3]

Matthew 9:12-13

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

There is a good deal of trouble among people about what repentance really is. If you ask people what it is, they will tell you "It is feeling sorry." If you ask a man if he repents, he will tell you, "Oh, yes; I generally feel sorry for my sins." That is not repentance. It is something more than feeling sorry.

The word repentance is an old world word. It is a Biblical word. It is a word that has many connotations, most of them bad from a world's point of view. Let's take a closer look -

The Oxford English Dictionary defines repentance as "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin."

However, according to God's Word sincere regret or remorse is not sufficient. Strong's Dictionary has a more explicit and accurate meaning.

The Greek word for repentance is Metanoia and it means, "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done."

In plain English, repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action, which is powered by the Holy Spirit (Jn.15:1-5). Otherwise, the change in action would be works oriented. Again, repentance is turning right about and forsaking sin.

Consider these Biblical references in your Bible devotions:

1. Repentance was preached by John the Baptist, Matthew 3:1-10
2. Repentance was preached by Jesus Christ, Matthew 4:17, 9:13, 11:20-21; Luke 13:25, 15:7, 24:46-48
3. Repentance was preached by Christ’s Disciples, Mark 6:12
4. Repentance was preached by Peter, Acts 2:38, 3:19, 5:31, 8:22-23
5. Repentance was preached by Paul, Acts 17:30, 20:20-21, 26:20

Christ’s goal in dealing with men was not merely to lead them in a sinner’s prayer, but to bring them to repentance and genuine salvation. He described salvation in terms of coming to repentance.

I will add that repentance is not only a New Testament principle. It goes back to the Old Testament as well. Did not God show His displeasure at the children of Israel in the wilderness because of their stiff-necked ways? If you doubt or wonder, take the time to read the Book of Exodus, chapters 32 and 33.

Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

That is what it is. If a man doesn't turn from his sin he won't be accepted of God, and if righteousness don't produce a turning about - a turning from bad to good - it isn't true righteousness.

Look at King Saul, and see the difference between him and King David. David fell as low as Saul and a good deal lower - he fell from a higher pinnacle, but what was the difference between the two? David turned back to God and confessed his sin and got forgiven (Ps. 51). But look at King Saul. There was no repentance there.

For further study on repentance, consider these other Biblical personalities:

1. Peter and Judas

2. Esau and Jacob

3. Rich, Young Ruler and the Eunuch

4. Esther and Vashti

The Scriptural idea of genuine repentance is used extensively and makes prominent the idea of a radical change in one's attitude toward sin and God. It implies a conscious, moral separation, and a personal decision to forsake sin and to enter into fellowship with God. It is employed extensively with reference to man's turning away from sin to righteousness (Deuteronomy 4:30; Nehemiah 1:9; Psalms 7:12; Jeremiah 3:14).

The term signifies "to have another mind," to change the opinion or purpose with regard to sin. It is equivalent to the Old Testament word "turn." Thus, it is employed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38).

Well, Friend, do you have another mind? Do you have the notion to quit living in sin and turning to Jesus?

Why not do it today? Lord, I Need to Repent.

Sources: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia; Oxford English Dictionary; Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

The Decision to Return to God: The Model Confession [The Model Series, Part 2 of 3]

Psalm 51:1
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

Do you feel trapped by a besetting sin or tormented by guilt? Repentance is the key to finding freedom and joy again. Begin by reading the story of David and Bathsheba, which is found in 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25.

David behaved as if nothing was wrong. After all, it was only adultery, murder, conspiracy to murder, and so forth. He even played the Consoler-in-Chief with Uriah's pregnant widow afterwards. And, on top of that, the LORD sent convicting messages from others, culminating in Nathan's confrontation & condemnation, "Thou art the man."

When Bath-sheba told David she was with child, David had an opportunity to repent. When Uriah maintained his integrity by refusing to lie with his wife while his men were at war, David had another chance to change the course of his choice. When Joab told David about how Uriah died at the battlefront, he had a third shot at getting it right. Even as David sent for Bath-sheba and spoke to his servants with words to the effect of "Fetch me Bath-sheba" or "Bring her to me", he had occasion to consider his decisions. But, David didn't.

Thus, the LORD sent Nathan to declare, "You're the man." And David acknowledged this charge by answering: "I have sinned against the Lord." What about you, Reader? Have you admitted your sins before the Lord?

David composed Psalm 51 as a result of this debacle and fall into sin. This doesn’t mean that David failed to recognize the wrong he had done against Uriah and Bath-sheba. However, he realized that his sin was chiefly against the Lord. In this Psalm, we see a model confession. Much like the model prayer in yesterday's post, I need to remind you all that Psalm 51 is only a model, an approach to take when coming before the Lord to get right with Him.

1. ACKNOWLEDGE

"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."  (v. 3)

That is, admit you sins and confess them to God. I Jn 1:9 is a comforting promise by God to forgive us if we take the first step to confess our sins.

2. ASSUME

"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."  (v. 4)

Assume full responsibility for sin. Don't deflect the blame as tempting as it is. Anytime we try to blame someone else for our wrongdoing, repentance is incomplete. Ultimately, each individual involved in a sin has made a decision to rebel against God. David didn’t rationalize, “Lord, I wasn’t the only one involved. You know it takes two. She should have been more careful. I am only human.”

Confer Lk. 15:21 on the correct posture of humility before God. A great parable on confession and repentance.

3. REPENT
"Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."  (v. 13)

Many people - both ungodly ones as well as saved ones - don't like this word and don't care much for the concept of turning from their wicked ways. It's human nature to be self-willed. However, without a full 180 degree turn, it's impossible to please God. In this verse we find that David conclusion that teaching sinners can only follow after acknowledging sin and assuming responsibility for his choices and then repenting. It's implicit that teaching others about God can only come after repentance.

Once again, confer with the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11. -32).

4. PRAISE
"Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise."  (vv. 14-15)

I want you to notice that this confession process yields 5 wonderful benefits as per David's statements; it brings forth washing & cleansing (vv. 2, 10), purging (v.7), renewal & restoration (v.10, 12).

Knowing this, David observes that there is joy, gladness, rejoicing, a right spirit, and praise. It's not an easy process to own up to your sins, but it's necessary in the daily walk with Christ and in your relationship with God through Jesus (Heb. 12:5-13). But, there is the fruit of peace with God and the peace of God.

The Lord wants us to be honest about our sin, weaknesses, and frustrations. Truthfulness promotes fellowship (I Jn. 1:8, 10). As long as we are open with Him, He can continue to work with us.

Trouble starts when believers make excuses: “Now, Lord, I just made a mistake. After all, everybody has faults. Nobody is perfect.” Responding like this avoids the real issue. It is therefore dishonest. Those who constantly deny their guilt will not mature spiritually or find freedom from sin.

David’s failure to repent sooner increased the severity of the penalty for his rebellion. But if we deal with our sin genuinely, openly, and immediately, God often lessens the harshness of His chastisement. Why is that? Because if He sees that we have purposed to obey next time, stern correction is usually not needed.

The longer we put off repentance, the greater God’s discipline. Those who are wise will repent quickly.

• Dear Christian, is the Lord prompting you to repent of a particular sin? If so, pray about it, And, if you are not saved, now's the time. Don't put off tomorrow what can be done today!

Lord, I Want to Get Right With You Today

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

A Token of Innocence

Matthew 27:24

This morning my little girl came down the stairs to use the bathroom. I could tell it was my four year old because my two other daughters – the seven year old and nine year old – come galloping down the steps like runaway horses. In contrast, my four year old shuffles softly down the stairs. It’s amazing how in the stillness of the morning every sound is magnified: the creaking of the house, the muffled voices and laughter in the children’s rooms, the hum of the heater and the calibrated ticking of the clock. So, it was as I worked on the computer that I heard my little girl go potty, flush the toilet and click the bathroom light off. But, I didn’t hear the distinctive sound of water splashing that comes from hand washing. I called her into the study and asked her if she had washed her hands. She said no. I explained to her that it was the germs that got us sick and that the way to get rid of the germs was to wash our hands with soap because the soap made the germs slide off the hands. She nodded and went back to the bathroom to wash her hands. After she was done, my daughter padded up the stairs and resumed her play.

That’s when I began thinking of Pontius Pilate’s infamous line, “I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility!" as he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd (Matthew 27:24).

What a true politician! Talk about a logic that’s twisted as a pretzel! Pilate’s futile attempt to exonerate himself was to wash his hands and deliver up the guiltless One to the will of His enemies. At the same time, Pilate declared that he found no fault in Jesus. The final insult by Pilate was to release to the Jews a man guilty of sedition and murder: Barabbas. After all, Barabbas was the expression of the spirit of Satan who was a murderer from the beginning, and of rebellion against the authority, which ironically, Pilate was there to maintain.

The multitudes and the throngs chose the world, rather than the Son of God. In their blindness, they claimed to see. In their ignorance, they professed to know. In their flesh, they chose flesh over Spirit.

Pilate had decided to compromise by giving the crowd the choice. When that didn’t work, he then tried to elude the responsibility by ordering a basin of water to be brought to him and, before the crowd, washed his hands declaring his innocence of this man's blood. Unlike washing off something unpleasant, this one thing, i.e. the consequence of Pilate’s choice, could not be washed away.

Not only did Pilate know that Jesus was innocent and that justice demand-ed that the innocent man go free, but he also knew that the charges being made against Jesus were false. Yet, Pilate acquiesced. Isn’t that some-thing? Many times the pressure of the crowd is more than we can bare, and we find ourselves doing things we really do not want to do. Even when our hearts are telling us what is right.

And so, we arrive at the question "What shall I do with this Man Jesus who is called the Messiah?" This is the question of the ages. It is one that cannot be evaded. Neither can you wash your hands from the res-ponsibility of the consequences for the decision that you make about Jesus Christ. Though the question was asked by a Roman procurator almost 2000 years ago, it is a question that you must deal with and answer for yourself today. You can receive Him as your Lord. Or you can reject His lordship over your life.

Consider this Scriptural passage –

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good (Titus 1:16).”

I say again: What you can't do is ignore Him. You cannot wash your hands of this man, Jesus. Not to receive Him is to reject Him. Not to believe in Him is to disbelieve in Him. Not to confess Him is to deny Him. Have you already taken your position? Are you satisfied with it? Here’s a final sobering thought:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)”

What say you?

Putting Away Our Ornaments

Exodus 33:1-7


Sam Harris wrote an Op-Ed piece entitled, “Faith Won’t Heal Our Divided World” in the Washington Post web site (for further details go directly to http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/sam_harris/) on November 14, 2006. He is “a graduate in philosophy from Stanford University, has studied both Eastern and Western religious traditions, and is now completing a doctorate in neuroscience. He makes regular appearances on television and radio to discuss the danger that religion now poses to modern societies.” So ,it is not a stretch of the imagination that Mr. Harris finds no use for religion or God. Despite the admonishment of Matthew 7:6, I entered the debate and posted my views on his piece. Here are some of the reactions and responses posted on the web page:

“[The] divide between faiths is propagated by the systematic brain washing of our children who are too young to understand the impact of the belief systems that are relentlessly pounded into their heads.”

“When persons of faith judge others and try to impose their belief systems on others (they do not seem to be able to resist), all we get is intolerance, wars and death.”

“Perhaps we need a new GOD. Clearly the old one isn't doing the job.”

“I wonder sometimes if all religious groups aren’t from their so-called Hell, trying to destroy what few sane people (Atheists) there are on earth.”

“Why not just do away with the concept of evangelism in religion, and let individuals find their own ways to resolve their fear of the unknown?”

“What is even scarier (and in my opinion, insane) is that this scenario of nuclear destruction actually plays into Christian prophecy of the second coming of Christ, WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED!!!”

“[S]top using the phrase ‘It's a miracle’ which is so clueless. If somebody escapes tragedy then it's a matter of luck, being in the right place at the right time just as where you are born is simply random.”


Pastor Skip Hietzig said that pride is the national religion of Hell. It’s pride that the sinner proudly glories in. Wicked people will not seek after God; that is, they will not call upon Him. They live without prayer without God. They have many thoughts, many objects and devices, but don’t bother to think of the Lord. There is no submission to His will. The cause of this is, of course, pride.

In Exodus 33:1-7, the Hebrews had forsaken God, forgotten about their covenant with Him, had fashioned a golden calf and had not obeyed God’s Word. C’mon, now! After witnessing the miracle of deliverance of the Red Sea, after receiving the manna and water, after being given quail to eat, this is how they thanked God? No wonder He called them a stiff-necked people. It’s a miracle in itself that He just didn’t smite them on the spot! But that speaks of God’s incredible grace and mercy. And the reason they were stiff-necked was because they were lovers of themselves rather than of God; they were sinful and they were proud. As a consequence, God refused to go with the people up to Canaan. Upon hearing this, the people were grieved and took their ornaments and jewelry off. By their stripping off their ornaments, the Lord discerned the first symptoms of contrition. The people were ashamed and sorrowful for their behavior. Des-pite their knowledge of God, they acted against Him. What good would these objets d’art do? Nothing. The removal of the tent of the meeting place was moved outside their camp, too. Now, that their communion with God had been removed, they realized the implications of moving forward without God.

So, where does that leave us in the 21st Century? Humanists and their kind believe that there can be peace without Jesus Christ, but the truth of the matter is that there can be no peace without Him. This belief and ideology stem, in part, from the Hellenistic time. The Greco-Roman influence in philosophy and science, among other things. You can say they were pre-Missouri types: Their attitude was “Show me.” They prided themselves in their knowledge. And therein lies the problem. Human knowledge can only take you so far.

You see, when you make an absolute statement, such as “There is no God”, absolute proof is required. The declaration "There is no God" is what is known as an absolute statement. For an absolute statement to be true, you must have absolute knowledge. Is it possible that there is knowledge you haven't yet come across to prove that God does indeed exist? If you are truly reasonable, you will have to say, "Having the limited knowledge that I have at present, I believe that there is no God." In other words, you don't know if God exists, so you are not an "atheist". Instead, you are what is commonly known as an "agnostic." You are like a man who looks at a building, and doesn't know if there was a builder. You are the proverbial fence-sitter who doesn’t mind the discomfort of indecision.

Since neither side can empirically prove or disprove the existence of God, it comes down to faith. For those who require the necessary evidence, I have one simple message: Don’t worry, on the Day of Judgment, you will have all the necessary proof that God is real. In fact, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Unfortunately, by then it will too late to repent. That’s why it’s very important to trust in the Lord NOW rather than later. God doesn't want you to go to Hell. Please, forget your philosophical arguments, repent and put your trust in Jesus and be saved from God's wrath. Make Psalm 51 your prayer (include the name Jesus in your prayers), then read your Bible daily and always obey what you read. So, please put away your pride, that hollow orna-ment of man, and repent. Come to Christ and have eternal life. Believe it and you shall have it.